Device for handling corpses.



No. 821,720. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906. G. E. KIDD.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING CORPSES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1905.

GEORGE E. KIDD, OF BLOOMFIELD,

INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN E. MOLAUGHLIN, OF BLOOMFIELD, INDIANA.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING CORPSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29,1906.

Application filed November 3, 1905. Serial No. 285,770.

T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. KIDD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomfield, in the county of Greene and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Handling Corpses, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which has been especially designed for the use of undertakers when handling a corpse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which can be folded or collapsed, so as to be readily carried in a grip or valise, which can be adjusted to suit any length of corpse, and which can be readily applied thereto.

With these objects in view the device consists, essentially, of a framework, the side pieces of which are peculiarly constructed, so as to be longitudinally adjustable, and of suspending-straps connecting the sidepieces.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of the device. Fig. 2,. is a perspective view showing the framework when folded. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of one of the side pieces. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the manner in which the smallest telescopic section is connected.

Corresponding and like parts arereferred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The framework of the structure comprises longitudinally-adjustable side pieces 1, provided at the opposite ends with eyes or rings 2, by means of which the cross-bars 3 are held in position, the ends of said cross-bars projecting beyond the side pieces to form suitable handles 4. The side pieces 1, as shown, are formed in sections 5, which telescope within each other. The outer end of each large section 5 is provided with internally-projecting threads 6, which cooperate with externally' projecting threads 7 upon the inner end of the next smaller section. It will thus be seen that when these threads are screwed into engagement with each other the various sections are held rigidly extended; but when the threaded portions are disconnected the smaller sections can be telescoped within the larger the casket.

sections and the entire device packed within a comparatively small space. The smaller of the sections 5, or that which comes at the foot of the corpse, where there is least weight, is provided at its inner ends with an external shoulder or collar 8, which abuts against the similar internal shoulder or collar 9 at the outer end of the next larger section 5 when the side pieces are distended. These shoulders 8 and 9 are provided with a large bearing-surface, which enables this end section to be telescoped to any desired amount, according to the length of the corpse, without weakening the joints or causing the framework to sag. Suspending-straps 10 connect the opposite side pieces 1. One end of the straps 10 is looped about one of the side pieces, so as to be slidable thereon, while the opposite end is buttoned or secured in any suitable 1nannor to the short straps 11, slidably mounted on the opposite cross-bars.

When it is desired to use the device, the side pieces are distended and the larger sections 5'screwed together to form a rigid connection between them. The smaller section 5, or that at the foot of the cor se, is then telescoped to obtain the require length and the suspending-straps 10 passed under the corpse and fastened to the short straps 11. The corpse can now be raised by liftlng upon the end bars 3, turned in any desired position by tilting the framework and allowing it to roll upon the suspending-straps 10, and placed in To remove the stretcher or framework, it is simply necessary to disconnect the suspending-straps 10 from the short straps 11 and allow them to slip out of position. The essential features of this invention reside in the longitudinal adjustment of the side pieces and in the use of the suspending-straps 10, which permit. the device to be very easily and quickly applied. It will be apparent that these suspension-straps constitute the only ractical method for placing a corpse in a cas ret, since in no other manner can the corpse be so readily shifted or turned to any desired position and the device so easily removed after the corpse has been properly located.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame comprising telescoping members, said telescoping members having a threaded connection when distend- IOC ed, and suspending means connected to said frame.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame comprising spaced side pieces formed of telescopic sections and connected by end bars, and suspendingstraps having one of their ends permanently secured to one of the sides of the frame while their opposite ends are detachably connected to the opposite side of the frame.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a framework comprising sid'e pieces formed in telescopic sections and connected by end bars, the outer end of each of the larger sections being provided with in ternally-projecting threads which cooperate with externally-projecting threads on the inner end of the next smaller section to form a rigid joint when the sections are distended, while the smallest section telescopes freely within the next larger section to allow the length of the framework to be adjusted to suit the length of the corpse, and suspendingstraps connecting opposite sides of the framework.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. KIDD. [L. s] 

